FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 18, 2008

 DC RESTAURANTS HEAT UP FOR INAUGURATION

As the 2009 inauguration nears, Washington, DC’s restaurants are greeting the new administration with limited time presidential specialties to tie in with the momentous year.

Chef Arnel Esposo of Palette restaurant in the Loews Madison Hotel will offer his version of official Inauguration luncheon fare with a three-course menu available at both lunch and dinner from Jan. 10 – 25, 2009. Each dish will be attributed to a President and the year he was inaugurated, such as scalloped crab and lobster for President George Walker Bush, 2005; or California garden salad for President Ronald W. Reagan, 1981.

OYA Restaurant & Lounge in Penn Quarter is ushering its patrons down the “Road to the Wine House” with specialty drink selections. The restaurant will be offering wines from Obama’s home state of Illinois.

At Asia Nine, owner Nuthinepan Tantivejakul  and chef/owner Boonrod Yotmanee pay homage to the new president by offering a selection of maki sushi, each designed with a politico in mind. For those that are celebrating the democratic victory, the "Obama Roll" is a lean and green offering of mixed green veggies-- asparagus, cucumber, avocado, radish sprout and basil leaves dusted with sesame seeds. Its VP mate, the "Biden Roll," features a nod toward the region in a crunchy-finished combo of local crabmeat, cucumber and wasabi cream sauce for a little heat.  And, for those bidding the current administration a fond farewell, there is the Presidential Lame Duck Roll—a soon-to-be-gone mix of roasted duck, cucumber, scallion, crunchy soy nuggets and Hoisin sauce.

PS7's is also joinging in the political fun by offering a four-course tasting menu for $65 featuring regional cuisine from Illinois, as well as both red and blue bottled Prosecco made by Foss Marai.

The restaurants of Passion Food Hospitality (Acadiana, DC Coast, Ceiba, TenPenh and PassionFish) are celebrating Obama's swearing-in with "The Dream," a new drink created in honor of the new commander in chief. The Dream, which will be available at all five of Passion Food Hospitality’s restaurants beginning January 1, 2009, features bourbon; apple cider; honey; caramel; a cinnamon stick garnish, and is served warm for $9 in honor of the year 2009. Passion Food Hospitality restaurants will also be serving up "The Tower," a sparkling special cocktail made of champagne, white grape juice, and St. Germain Elderflower Liquer made in honor of the Sears Tower in Chicago. To celebrate Obama's victory in becoming the 44th president, each of these restaurants will also be offering a special four-course meal for only $44 from Jan. 16 - 22. Additionally, Ceiba will be serving hot chocolate and churros for $10 along the parade route on the day of the inaugural parade.

Restaurant Nage invites diners to sit down and have a cup of “Can I Call You Joe” at their Biden Brunches this January. Guests at the brunches can look forward to a fantastic menu of creative cuisine served with a hilarious side of ‘Bidenisms,' featuring  a comical Biden impersonator performing several political sketches. Customers coming to celebrate the inauguration, dine on several Delaware culinary specialties like the Sussex County Pun’kin Chuckin Pancakes, meant as a tribute to the Delaware tradition of “chucking” pumpkins across a field, the Southern Delaware Style Chicken in a Blanket and the Northern Delaware Scrapple and Tater Tot Hash with Fried Eggs.Biden Brunches will be offered on the following Sundays in January: 4, 11 and 18 as well as the morning after the inauguration.

sweetgreen, in Georgetown is ready to celebrate Inauguration 2009 with sweet, patriotic offerings.  Customers choosing the "Obama Salad" or any other "Signature Salad" get a free HONEST TEA, a locally produced beverage which happens to be the President Elect's favorite drink. For just $1 try a "Patriotic Sweetflow Yogurt," all natural frozen yogurt with fresh fruit. And for those lucky enough to have secured a coveted ticket to the upcoming Inauguration, presenting the ticket at the time of purchase at sweetgreen affords a 10% discount off the bill. Inaugural specials available to all parties and are valid from January 17-21st.

For more information regarding inauguration 2009, click here.

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About Destination DC: Destination DC, the lead destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization of more than 1,000 businesses committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities. Destinationdc.com